Snaffle bit

ABSTRACT

A snaffle bit comprising a pair of club-shaped bit parts joined together by an intermediate rod-shaped elastic hinge. Rings are connected to the outer ends of the bit parts for receiving the snaffle reins.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,851,446 Bischeitsrieder Dec. 3, 1974 [54] SNAFFLE BIT 368,776 8/1887 Manning 54/8 3 4453 12 188 B [75] Inventor: Lorenz Bischeltsrieder, 2 4 fzz gg Furstenfeldbruck, Germany 3,300,948 1/1967 Beach 54/8 Primary ExaminerAntonio F. Guida Assistant ExaminerJ. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies & Kurz ABSTRACT A snaffle bit comprising a pair of club-shaped bit parts joined together by an intermediate rod-shaped elastic hinge. Rings are connected to the outer ends of the bit parts for receiving the snaffle reins.

14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Fig.1

Fig.5

SNAFFLE BIT BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION hinge, they do not have any self-resetting ability, e.g.,

in case of reduced pull on the reins. Besides, snaffles of this kind are relatively expensive to produce as every individual bit portion with different bit width, which normally varies between 12.5 and 14.5 cm, has its own shape different from the othersCQnsequentIy, economical production of these bit portions in large numbers is not possible.

Rubber snaffles have already become known and include snaffle rein rings'which are embedded in the ends of a'rubber rod representing the bit portion. These bit portions are particularly used with horses with sensitive mouths. However, snaffles of this kind have not been in common use, since to produce every bit portion in a certain size, a special mould is necessary. Because the demand is not big, snaffles of this kind are not much cheaper than comparable simple metal snaffles.

Accordingly, it is the underlying object of this inventionto provide a new concept which goes beyond improvement of known snaffles, according to which snaffle bits of different types and bit widths can be produced economically and considerably cheaper than heretofore possible without loss'of quality. The object is accomplished by the development of a novel connec- 'tion between both bit portions which is superior to the conventional hinge andsimpl'ifies production.

I According to the invention, it is proposed to connect the two identical club-shaped bit portions by means of a rod-shaped, elastic, hinge portion,thereby allowing a variation of the bit width with unchanged bit portions by simply' extending or shortening respectively this elastic hinge rod. This hinge portion advantageously consists of an elastic rod fastened with each of its ends in the axial bore of the two bit portions, the fastening being effected by screwing in, gluing, or by ring ribs provided on the hinge rod and engaging in corresponding annular'groo'ves inthe bores. For adjusting the bit to different widths, either hinge rods of different length may be used or corresponding spacers of different length may be inserted in the bores to limit the length of the hinge rod which is insertable in the bore.

,The two bit portions and the hinge portion can alternatively be made in one piece. The necessary elasticity of the hinge portion or hinge rod respectively is achieved e.g., by choosing a corresponding suitable material for the hinge point or for the whole bit, and/or by the shape of the tapering in the middle of the onepiece bit.

Each of the two bit portions preferably has a hollow space which opens through its outer end, with the outermost portions of the space being of cylindrical shape to receive a cap that is inserted and fastened therein. This cap has a 'slot through which a snaffle is inserted. While the cap preferably is inserted in the hollow space, it can, however, also be attached and fastened to the bit portion by gluing, welding or other suitable way. Bit plates of conventional type preventing the bit from slipping to one side, can be attached to the outer ends of the bit portions or preferably on the outer caps, or can also be replaced by specially designed snaffle rings. The snaffle rings can of course also be tightly embedded in one end of the bit portions or can be inserted subsequently in an eye provided in the bit portion. A variation of the bit width of one-piece bit portions is possible by inserting spacer sleeves at the ends of the bit portions and then inserting the caps into' the sleeve whereby the length of the bit portion is extended correspondingly. l

The hinge portion and preferably also the bit portions, and the caps covering the latter if necessary, suitably consist of plastic material, e.g., polypropylene. In addition, the use of the elastic hinge rod between the two bit portions makes it possible to mount either a bead or a sleeve on the latter for reinforcing the middle part, or a conventional tongue stretcher.

The essential advantages of the snaffle bits designed according to the invention especially consist in the improvement of the snaffle effect by using an elastic hinge and, in simplified and more economical production by applying an assembly technique which makes it possi+ ble to combine most different sized models and types of snaffle bits by using uniform individual parts for all bit portions.

BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1+6 of the drawings illustrate some especially preferable embodiments of the snaffle bit constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 1 is a view of first embodiment of the snaffle bit, one bit portion of which is shown in section and is turned 90 with regard to the other'bit portion,

FIG. 2 is apart sectionalview of a snaffle ring and a cap which is attached to the ends of the bit portions of i the snaffle bit according to FIG. .1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a cap in which'the snaffle ring will turn only around a limited angle;

FIG. 4 is a part sectional view of another ring and cap used with so-called olive-head snaffles;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the cap according to FIG. 4 with a novel snaffle web ring; and

FIG. 6 is a view of a cap with attached bit plates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIG. 1, the snaffle bit according to the invention consists of {two identical approximately clubgage in one of a plurality of equally spaced annular grooves 15 provided in bores 13. To limit the depth of insertion of hinge rod 12 into bores 13 and thereby fix the desired bit width, a spacer 16 is inserted in each bore 13. .The hinge rod and the bit portions 11 can be glued or welded together additionally or alternatively to the locking of the hinge rod 12 by means of ribs 14 and annular grooves 15. In a one-piece design of hinge rod 12 and bit portions 11, the shape of the bit will be essentially the same as the embodiment according to FIG. 1.

Each of the bit portions 11 has at its outer end a hollow space 17 which opens towards the outside and is closed by a cap 18 partially inserted in the hollow space 17 and connected to bit portion 11 by gluing, welding or the like. Both the outer end of the bit portions 11 and the outermost portion of the hollow space 17 are of cylindrical shape so that it is possible to attach spacers or rings between bit portion 11 and cap 18 to extend and increase the width of the bit portions 11 if necessary, or to insert rings in the die mould during production for shortening the bit portions 11 by shortening the hollow space to be formed by injection moulding compound.

Caps 18 have an inserting slot 19 through which the snaffle rings 20 are inserted. Slots 19 enter into specially shaped openings 21 for mounting snaffle rings 20. Openings 21 have arcuate contact surfaces 22 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 6) adapted to the shape of the snaffle rings 20, the surfaces being formed by eccentric rotation of a portion of an arc of circle around an axis. With contact surfaces 22 thus formed, the snaffle rings 20 are easily turned around this axis. Instead of line or point contact between snaffle ring 20 and cap 18 involved in the case of a simple cylindrical design of opening 21, surface contact occurs and wear is reduced. The design of opening 21 can be changed such as to turn the snaffle ring only around a limited angle (FIGS. 3 and 6).

The production of another type of snaffle, e.g., of a so-called olive-head snaffle, is possible by simply mounting another suitably shaped cap 18' on the bit portion 11, thereby using the same bit portions 11 and hinge portions 12. Such a cap 18' flattened on opposed sides (FIG. 4) bears a snaffle ring 20' provided with contact surfaces on the olive portions 23. In this case the opening 21' of cap 18' is designed quite cylindrically according to the shape of ring 20'.

Another novel snaffle ring 20 can also be inserted in a cap 18' designed according to FIG. .4, and such a ring is shown in FIG. 5. This type of snaffle ring, not commonly used up to now, provides the function of socalled cheek-pieces which are attached to the outer ends of bit portions 11 to prevent the snaffles from slipping and thereby from becoming ineffective.

Alternatively, cheek-pieces 24 can be attached di-.

rectly to cap 18' (FIG. 6). This has the advantage that equal bit portions 11 and hinge portions 12 as well as normal snaffle rings 20 can again be used for all snaffle designs, and that only the cap is changed.

If the hinge rod 12 should be too weak and if it should be more advantageous with regard to the play of the tongue of the horse, a slightly pivoted bead 25 (FIG. 1) may be mounted on said hinge rod between the bit portions 11. In the same manner, a tongue stretcher can be provided on the hinge rod 12.

The elastic hinge rod 12 suitably consists of plastic material, e.g., polypropylene or the like. Also, the bit portions 11 as well as caps 18 are suitably made of an appropriate plastic material.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A snaffle bit comprising a pair of bit portions, each of said bit portions having an axial bore which includes annular grooves; an elastic hinge rod portion extending between and connecting said bit portions, said hinge rod portion having its ends stationarily fixed to said bit portions and each end of said hinge rod portion including a rib which engages in one of said annular grooves; and a ring connected to the outer end of each of said bit portions for receiving a snaffle rein.

2. A snaffle bit according to claim 1, including at least one spacer inserted in each of said bores of the bit portions between the inner end of each bore and the corresponding end of the hinge rod.

3. A snaffle bit comprising axially aligned first and second bit portions; rein receiving means fixed to the outer ends of said bit portions; an axially extending passage in and opening onto the inner end of one of said bit portions; a flexible member extending from the inner end of the other bit portion into said passage; and means for fixing said flexible member to said one bit portion which is an annular groove in said one bit portion opening onto the axially extending passage therein and a co-operating annular rib on said flexible member engageable in said groove to secure said one bit portion to said flexible member.

4. The snaffle bit of claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of grooves as aforesaid in said one bit portion and including means insertable in said axially extending passage to limit the extension of the flexible member thereinto, whereby the annular rib can be caused to become engaged in a selected one of said grooves to produce a specified one of alternate spacings between the rein receiving means of the bit.

5. A snaffle bit comprising axially aligned first and second bit portions; rein receiving means fixed to the outer ends of said bit portions; a flexible member extending from the inner end of one bit portion into the apposite end of the other bit portion; and means fixing said flexible member in a fixed axial relation to said other bit portion.

6. The snaffle bit of claim 5, wherein the lastmentioned means comprises co-operating first and second means associated with said flexible member and said other bit portion; respectively.

7. A snaffle bit comprising axially aligned, first and second bit portions; means at the outer ends of said bit portions to which reins can be attached; and means including a flexible member extending therebetween for fixing one bit portion in a selected one of alternate spacings relative to the other bit portion to thereby produce a bit of specified length.

8. A snaffle or like bit comprising at least one bit portion having a recess in and opening onto one end thereof and a cap having an inner end seatable in said recess, there being a groove extending transversely through said cap and opening onto the inner end thereof, whereby a rein receiving member having a portion configured to fit in said groove can be installed in 9. The bit of claim 8, wherein said groove has an ar-' cuate side wall to thereby provide a bearing surface for a rein receiving member in the form of a snaffle ring.

10. A snaffle bit comprising a pair of bit portions, there being a hollow space in each of said bit portions, the outer portion of which is of cylindrical shape; an elastic hinge rod portion extending between and connecting said bit portions, said rod portion having its ends stationarily fixed to said bit portions; a snaffle ring connected to the outer end of each of said bit portions for receiving a snaffle rein; and a cap inserted into the hollow space of each said bit portion for connection to said bit portion, said cap having a slot which receives the snaffle ring associated therewith.

11. A snaffle bit according to claim 10, comprising a snaffle ring having a web with two olive halves, said ring being inserted with its web in said slot.

12. A snaffle bit according to claim 6, together with a cheekpiece fixed to the outer end of each of said end members adjacent the snaffle ring fixed thereto.

13. A snafi'le bit according to claim .6, wherein the end and intermediate members of the bit portion are all made of plastic. I

14. A snaffle bit comprising a unitary bit portion, said bit portion comprising substantially rigid, axially aligned, end members and a single, flexible, elongated, intermediate member having a cross-sectional area which is smaller than the cross-sectional areas of said end members, said intermediate member being axially aligned with and rigidly connected at opposite ends thereof to the inner ends of different ones of said end members to provide a fixed axial spacing therebetween and to form an elastic hinge connection between said end members so that the outer ends of said end members can move relative to each other by flexure of the intermediate bit member; and a snaffle rein receiving 

1. A snaffle bit comprising a pair of bit portions, each of said bit portions having an axial bore which includes annular grooves; an elastic hinge rod portion extending between and connecting said bit portions, said hinge rod portion having its ends stationarily fixed to said bit portions and each end of said hinge rod portion including a rib which engages in one of said annular grooves; and a ring connected to the outer end of each of said bit portions for receiving a snaffle rein.
 2. A snaffle bit according to claim 1, including at least one spacer inserted in each of said bores of the bit portions between the inner end of each bore and the corresponding end of the hinge rod.
 3. A snaffle bit comprising axially aligned first and second bit portions; rein receiving means fixed to the outer ends of said bit portions; an axially exTending passage in and opening onto the inner end of one of said bit portions; a flexible member extending from the inner end of the other bit portion into said passage; and means for fixing said flexible member to said one bit portion which is an annular groove in said one bit portion opening onto the axially extending passage therein and a co-operating annular rib on said flexible member engageable in said groove to secure said one bit portion to said flexible member.
 4. The snaffle bit of claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of grooves as aforesaid in said one bit portion and including means insertable in said axially extending passage to limit the extension of the flexible member thereinto, whereby the annular rib can be caused to become engaged in a selected one of said grooves to produce a specified one of alternate spacings between the rein receiving means of the bit.
 5. A snaffle bit comprising axially aligned first and second bit portions; rein receiving means fixed to the outer ends of said bit portions; a flexible member extending from the inner end of one bit portion into the apposite end of the other bit portion; and means fixing said flexible member in a fixed axial relation to said other bit portion.
 6. The snaffle bit of claim 5, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises co-operating first and second means associated with said flexible member and said other bit portion, respectively.
 7. A snaffle bit comprising axially aligned, first and second bit portions; means at the outer ends of said bit portions to which reins can be attached; and means including a flexible member extending therebetween for fixing one bit portion in a selected one of alternate spacings relative to the other bit portion to thereby produce a bit of specified length.
 8. A snaffle or like bit comprising at least one bit portion having a recess in and opening onto one end thereof and a cap having an inner end seatable in said recess, there being a groove extending transversely through said cap and opening onto the inner end thereof, whereby a rein receiving member having a portion configured to fit in said groove can be installed in said cap and the cap then seated in said bit portion recess.
 9. The bit of claim 8, wherein said groove has an arcuate side wall to thereby provide a bearing surface for a rein receiving member in the form of a snaffle ring.
 10. A snaffle bit comprising a pair of bit portions, there being a hollow space in each of said bit portions, the outer portion of which is of cylindrical shape; an elastic hinge rod portion extending between and connecting said bit portions, said rod portion having its ends stationarily fixed to said bit portions; a snaffle ring connected to the outer end of each of said bit portions for receiving a snaffle rein; and a cap inserted into the hollow space of each said bit portion for connection to said bit portion, said cap having a slot which receives the snaffle ring associated therewith.
 11. A snaffle bit according to claim 10, comprising a snaffle ring having a web with two olive halves, said ring being inserted with its web in said slot.
 12. A snaffle bit according to claim 6, together with a cheekpiece fixed to the outer end of each of said end members adjacent the snaffle ring fixed thereto.
 13. A snaffle bit according to claim 6, wherein the end and intermediate members of the bit portion are all made of plastic.
 14. A snaffle bit comprising a unitary bit portion, said bit portion comprising substantially rigid, axially aligned, end members and a single, flexible, elongated, intermediate member having a cross-sectional area which is smaller than the cross-sectional areas of said end members, said intermediate member being axially aligned with and rigidly connected at opposite ends thereof to the inner ends of different ones of said end members to provide a fixed axial spacing therebetween and to form an elastic hinge connection between said end members so that the outer ends of said end members can mOve relative to each other by flexure of the intermediate bit member; and a snaffle rein receiving ring fixed to the outer end of each of said end members. 